I am outraged...some please tell me I'm not the only one to feel like this!!?

Question

I just read a question on here about "normal" toddlers...and how they think its "freaky" that some toddlers (2yr old) can read,know their colors, can count, and etc.

now I'm not trying to brag but my daughter will be 2 in 1 month and she knows all her colors and not just primary colors...aqua, maroon, magenta etc, can count to 15,talks in full sentences and can carry a conversation and is learning how to read and can already read small words. i am a SAHM and i am constantly teaching her new things and she really enjoys it...she is constantly asking me questions and wants me to teach about a new animal or item she saw in a book or TV or something. plain and simple she enjoys learning. now this individual labeled it "freaky" and wanted to know if her daughter is "normal" for not being able to do all of that. is it really wrong for me to not want my daughter to just be "normal" but not just succeed but exceed in all she does. its not like i want her to be genius i just want her to meet the potential i know she has and not settle for anything less then the best!!

so i know not all parents have the time to actually sit and teach their children but is it really necessary to call a child who is brilliant for their age "freaky"

Answer 1

I agree...I've worked at day cares with children for over 4 yrs now and I noticed that the children who knew the most at a younger age usually had parents who dedicated time to teach them. What is wrong with that!!

My daughter was also saying her colors, counting, identifying animals and saying animal noises, singing songs in spanish and English (I am Latina and think it is very important I teach her both!) and she LOVES to do puzzles. My parents where amazed, but like you said, she loves the attention and time we spend together learning something new. She is now three and I can literally have a full conversation with her. It is not freaky at all!

I find it more "freaky" when a three year old child is still not potty trained, doesn't know colors or numbers, and still does not talk in full sentences...and belive me I've seen plenty of those!

Answer 2

Well, every child is an individual and I'm wondering if you don't put too much pressure on your daughter... "I just want her to meet the potential I know she has and not settle for anything less than the best"... that to me says YOU want her to attain success via how much she knows. It's VERY important to take advantage of the "windows" that children have when they are ready to start learning various things-colors, shapes, numbers, letters, etc, BUT, not to push more than your individual child can learn.

I understand why some may consider it "freaky" and personally, I think it's a little uptight to get so upset. Most aren't used to seeing a child so learned at such a young age. In our day and age when most parents don't teach their own kids, and a lot of children are beginning their education in kindergarten, it's no wonder some marvel at a 2 year old knowing alot...

Answer 3

I agree with you, my son is 2 and knows his alphabet in English and Spanish and counts to 15 in both languages, knows all his shapes including hexagon, diamond, pentagon and many others.  He knows all his animals and colors, has books memorized, is learning states and countries and doing really well.  He has a great vocabulary and on and on but it is because I spend time with him everyday and he's being doing a lot of these things since he was one, I know he has the capability to learn things and want to help him develop to his full potential, physically and mentally.  I do find though that other moms I know are very surprised at how much he knows and their kids who are the same age can barely talk.  I know they feel bad about it but yet don't do anything to help their child learn so all they can do is criticize our children.  My sister-in-law is a Speech Therapist and works with children that are 1, 2 & 3 and says a lot of the delays are because parents are too lazy to take time and teach their children how to talk properly or learn knew things.  It is really not a big deal to them so their children start off on the wrong foot.  Maybe the "Freaky" lady needs to spend more time focusing on her child instead of criticizing our children for having parents that care about their education and development.  

Answer 4

I can understand where your feelings are coming from but honestly why do you really care what others think?  Most of the times a rude comment made is the result of jealousy or someone who is not confident in (this case) their parental skills.  I would take it as a compliment and be very proud that you are raising a very intelligent child.  I have a 3yo who excels in many areas when compared to others her age, but there is always someone smarter or less and I'm just very proud of every accomplishment she makes.  As a society we tend to judge the development of our child to that of another which I really try not to do as I believe that's completely unfair to the children.  Everyone learns in their own way at their own pace.  

Answer 5

you are too sensitive.  lighten up lady.

Answer 6

i agree these days people are too lazy or busy to teach their kids as much as they can so they make themselves feel better by saying kids that can do more then their kids as freaks

i think its great thats your teaching your kid as much as you can to give them the best possible oppourtunitys it can have

Answer 7

She is normal :) Don't worry, you being a stay at home mom helps that a lot! My son knew a lot of those same things at that age, he is 4 now. Girls also learn things like that much faster then boys. A friend of mine has a daughter who, at 2 years old, could hold full conversations! It sounds bazaar, but it's all more common then you may thing. You just have a brilliant little girl, and you are obviously a great mom for teaching her!

Answer 8

I give you props!! Not all parents are able -or willing to give their children  the knowledge that they are capable of. I heard my pediatrician say once that kids that age are just like little sponges and if they are why not give them all the information that they can handle!! I too want the best for my children and I think any one willing to take the time to teach them is very special.            

    

Think about it-- how many small children do you know that

doesn't ask a million questions, there is a reason for everything!!

Answer 9

I don't think it's freaky at all that some children know more than others at certain ages. All children develop differently. Some walk earlier than others, some talk earlier than others, some potty train earlier than others, etc.

However, what I do find a bit disturbing is how quickly some are to assume that just because a child this age doesn't know their colors or speak in complete sentences it means that the parents are neglecting their duties. Most children who are advanced or delayed in one area will be at the same level within a few years. Most parents think their children are advanced and that is a good thing - children need their parents to believe that they are very special. But when parents think their own children are special to the point that they believe other children are *unspecial* or other parents are neglectful there is a problem. Some children are simply average, some children are delayed, and some children have genuine mental or physical impairments that are not the fault of the child or the parents. I hope that your pride in your own child does not cause you to believe that children with learning disabilities are somehow less than your own child or that their parents caused these disabilities through neglectful parenting.

Answer 10

You kid isn't freaky she is just advanced.  My son is the same way.  He spoke in complete and clear sentences at 18 months, and was told he had 4 year old motor skills by the time he was two.  It isn't freaky, it's cool.   He is 4 now and can read some, knows how to write all of his letters, can rhyme, tell stories and count to 100.

My only advice to you is to get your child involved with other children.  My son hates being with other kids most of the time.  I think spending so much time with me as a child makes him cling to me too much.  He likes people coming to us, but prefers not to be at other houses.

Oh, one more thing.  In pre-school, don't let her skip to a class too old for her.  Most public schools won't let you skip, and repeating a grade is hard for them, even at that age.  I wanted my son challenged.  He now has to do kindergarten twice or the 4 year old class twice.  He hates both options and is bored.  I am still looking into private school after private pre-school so maybe he can move ahead.

Answer 11

Children today are taught much more and much sooner than they use to.  When i started kindergarten I didn't have to know how to write my name or recognize the alphabet or know my colors or anything like that but now for kindergarten they have to count 1-20, recognized the numbers, write their first and last name, know their address and phone number and their parents fullnames, their birthday (month, day and year), recognize several colors, write the letters of the alphabet, write their numbers, recognize rhyming words and words that begin the same way and start learning to read short words (2-3 letters).....the list goes on and on.  2 year olds today just have to be taught more than 2 year olds use to have to learn.

Answer 12

I agree, why should your children be labeled as "freaky" or "weird" just because you actually give them the time and attention that they need and deserve?

Answer 13

No one should ever refer to a child as freaky.  It is not good for a kids self image to think of themselves that way.

It sounds like the teaching you are doing is based on your daughters natural curiosity and desire to learn, based on that it seems healthy.  Some kids do learn to read this young and that is the way they are wired.

  Its normal to wonder if our kids are hitting the normal milestones in childhood, but your friend should be careful not to compare her kid to other kids too much.  It can make her child feel inferior for just moving at her own pace in life.

You sound like a great mother who is really actively involved in her child's life.  Don't let others make you feel bad about that.  There are far too many parents who have the reverse habit of ignoring their kids.  Keep up the good work!